In a brief closed ceremony at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa this morning Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga was also awarded the honor of a Grand Gross of the Royal Order of Queen Salote. He becomes a Law Lord who advises the King on legal matters.

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Jan. 5, 2010) – Internal Security Ministry Mark Maipakai has appealed to disgruntled landowners of the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) project not to take the law into their own hands over delays and the non-payment of their business development grants and outstanding memorandum of agreement funds.

"There are proper processes and procedures to follow, and threatening the government and the developers is not the way forward," he said.

Maipakai said landowners should think about the long-term benefits of the project and not invite police to use force on them.

He said police manpower at the project sites was intact and additional assistance would be given if there was a need.

Three police mobile units, comprising about 100 men, were at the LNG sites.

He urged landowners issuing threats to approach the issue as matured...

By Haidee V. Eugenio SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Jan. 5, 2011) – In the Northern Mariana Islands, after overspending more than US$16 million in Fiscal Year 2010 and an estimated US$6 million shortfall in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2011, the Fitial administration wants to further cut costs this year starting with processing payroll through direct deposit and doing away with paper checks.

At the same time, non-critical government employees will be receiving today their paychecks that were supposed to be released on New Year's Eve.

The delayed paychecks were a result of severe government cash shortage.

"Payroll is set to be disbursed (today)," Press secretary Angel Demapan said.

Lieutenant Gov. Eloy S. Inos, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, said the government can only "encourage" but not force employees who are still receiving their salaries through paper checks to open a bank account so...

By Jose SeÃ±ase SAIPAN, CNMI Islands (Marianas Variety, Jan. 5, 2011) – A former prosecutor from Oregon State has expressed interest in the special Prosecutor’s post of Palau, Press Secretary Fermin Meriang said.

Mike Dugan, a former district attorney of Deschutes Country, is willing to take the job if Palau President Johnson Toribiong offers it to him.

Dugan has already been interviewed in person by Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil who was in the U.S. last month and has spoken to the President by phone.

Toribiong still wanted to interview Dugan in person before making any decision, Meriang said.

"The president wants the most qualified and independent person for such an important position, Meriang added. Dugan will travel to Palau this month for a personal interview with the President. If the President finds him to be the most qualified individual who can function independently, it could be possible...

By Marieta Heidi Ilalio APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Jan. 3, 2011) – In Samoa, the last week of 2010 was good for businesses at the Savalalo Market.

Most of the stall owners told the Sunday Samoan they were pleased with their sales.

Vetta Pitoa’itupou from Faleasi’u said business picked up after Christmas.

"I have two stalls and I have to run from here and there just to serve so many people shopping, she said. The difference between this year and last year is that sales last year were much bigger because of people visiting for the tsunami anniversary."

Ms Pitoa’itupou owns Ena’s Crafts and Designs.

Serah, of Loriana’s shop, said the arrival of so many visitors has meant good business for her.

"Lots of people, especially ones from overseas buy lots of crafts and Samoan shirts from us," she said.

Serah said the support from the public and especially people from overseas really...

By Simon Eroro PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Jan. 4, 2011) – In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal yesterday announced that Sir Michael Somare was on holiday and would resume duties whenever he thought was appropriate for him.

Mr. Abal’s statement comes almost a month after Sir Michael flanked by Mr. Abal and other senior ministers of the cabinet announced in December 2010 that he was voluntarily "stepping aside" as Prime Minister (PM) to allow for investigations into his misconduct in office charges. Yesterday the "stepping aside" tune was changed to that of him (Sir Michael) being on "holiday" which by law meant, he could resume duties at the end of his holiday period. While the Prime Minister is on holiday, an Acting PM holds the fort until the Chief Executive Officer of the land returns to the office.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Jan. 4, 2011) – A call has been made for greater consultation in Fiji over the changes that have been made to the way lease money is paid to indigenous land owners.

From the start of the New Year, Chiefs and commoners are to receive the same amount in lease payments.

The Executive Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, Reverend Aquila Yabaki, says his organisation welcomes a greater democratisation in the distribution of lease money.

But he says it’s a substantial change and those involved need to have had an opportunity to discuss the issues involved:

"It’s a painful change and therefore there will be people who will feel undermined in terms of their authority but that sort of thing should be all the reasons why there should be greater engagement and dialogue with all state holders."

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (Taimi Media Network, January 3, 2011) – Leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, MP ‘Akilisi Pohiva is "disappointed" with the ongoing Cabinet selection process.

"There’s no doubt about it. And I have my reasons," he said.

Pohiva disagreed with plans to bring in two non-elected Cabinet ministers from outside the legislature, namely former MP William Clive Edwards and academic Dr Ana Taufe’ulungaki.

"We have people inside parliament who were elected by the population, who are very well qualified for these jobs."

He also raised the issue of "fair allocation" of posts with the Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano, claiming the twelve MPs from Ha’apai and Tongatapu should have more Cabinet portfolios than the two already offered.

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Jan. 5, 2010) – The government has worked hard to begin addressing years of neglect of capacity building last year because of the current political stability and improved economic situation.

In his New Year address to the nation at the weekend, sidelined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said 2010 had been a good year both economically and politically for Papua New Guinea.

Sir Michael said there had been significant changes in infrastructure, business and other developments because the country now had enough money for projects that people had been deprived of in the last 35 years due to insufficient funding.

He said with the current political stability, there had been good markets globally for commodities such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copper and gold.

Sir Michael said the government would also be looking at increasing manpower...

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.